Anna-Claire Cusick is a doctor serving with Reach Beyond on the edge of the Amazon Jungle in Ecuador. Here she tells the story of one child transformed by a simple prayer.
I’ll never forget the day I met Baby JS. He had been born just two months earlier in Kurintza, a tiny Amazon community in Ecuador which can only be reached by a flight in a small Cessna plane. His mother has severe intellectual disabilities, and he had come into the world with only his grandmother to care for him.
When we arrived on our medical outreach, Baby JS was severely malnourished, surviving on nothing but oats mixed with water. There was no formula milk; that was far too expensive for a family with no income, and unreachable without a costly plane journey.
This little boy’s vulnerability touched me deeply. During our three-day medical visit, local doctors could assess him and give medication, but they had no way to provide the nutrition he desperately needed. I knew we had to act, but the obstacles felt enormous. And so, I prayed.
I shared Baby JS’s story with our prayer group in Northern Ireland, asking for God’s guidance. I also reached out to our partners here in Ecuador, including Mission Aviation Fellowship’s branch, Alas de Socorro. We trust them for safe flights and share the same heart for the vulnerable - serving isolated communities and sharing Christ’s love through practical care.
Almost immediately, God provided! Alas de Socorro arranged flights to deliver formula to Kurintza free of charge. Meanwhile, supporters in our prayer group were inspired to give. Donations poured in, and before long, we had more than enough formula to care for Baby JS for over a year.
Today, Baby JS is a thriving, joyful little boy, adored by his grandparents. He no longer needs formula, but our support continues with fortified flour, medicines, and loving guidance. We’re also helping his mother and aunt, who share similar disabilities, to secure official identification documents, allowing them to access state disability funding. Though this has been a complex and costly process, it has brought our team closer to the family and opened countless opportunities to share God’s love with them.
Looking back, it’s humbling to see how prayer, generosity, and faith intersected in this child’s life. From the prayers in Northern Ireland, to the flights arranged by MAF, to those who donated to buy formula, every step was God’s provision. Baby JS’s life has been saved, nurtured, and now flourishes, demonstrating the power of caring for the vulnerable in Jesus’ name.
Stories like this remind me why we do what we do at Reach Beyond. It’s not just about healthcare or nutrition. It’s about showing Christ’s love to those who have nowhere else to turn. Every prayer, every donation, every act of service brings hope and life to children and families like this.
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